How to: Apply Foundation With a Foundation Brush

Ever wonder how professionals use foundation to cover up celebrity acne, ruddy skin tones, and wrinkles?

Tools.

Products can’t be great unless they’re applied right, no?

Obviously. So in today’s feature we’re highlighting the flat kabuki. This brush works wonders when you find a good one.

Look for a brush with a high bristle density and a strong handle and ferrule (the metal piece that holds it together.) Bad brushes have the tendency to shed, especially when you’re washing them after each use;  so check to make sure the bristles feel like they’re “in there good” before you buy it.

Also note, if you’ve got allergies to animals, avoid makeup brushes made with real hair and opt for one made of Taklon. The bristles are just as gentle to the skin and non-allergenic.

The flat kabuki foundation brush is best used for concealer and foundation application where medium to heavy coverage is desired. After you’ve applied to the eyes, nose, and around the mouth with a  tool that isn’t flat (we use sponges) move onto the larger regions of the face (forehead, cheeks, chin) with the brush.  It can be used with any type of foundation, liquid, powder, cream or mousse, (bonus) so we even use it with a setting powder as a final step. Here’s a quick step by step of how to use your flat foundation brush for your base makeup look.

1. Always wash hands before makeup application.

2. Use your fingers to apply concealer to problem spots. One of two methods can be employed here: either buffing or stippling. Buffing spreads and smooths out the product with quick circular motions. Stippling is done by quickly dotting the brush against the skin to spread the product. Depending on how much coverage you need, you may not want to “buff” the area out fully.

3. Apply foundation with fingertips to sections of your face one at a time. (For example, if you are starting with the forehead, you wouldn’t put foundation on your cheeks just yet.)

4. After you have dotted the foundation over the area of your face you are starting on, take the brush and use the buffing motion described above to spread the foundation evenly across your face.

NOTE: Do not apply too much product to begin with. Remember you can always add more to blend in; but it’s a lot harder to remove if you’ve applied too much.

6. Cleanse and rinse your brush; and let it air dry in an open space.

Would you rather watch a video tutorial by a totally regular gal like you? Go here. Or watch the one here where I use it to buff out “dirty face” (over bronzer.)

Shameless plug: Our brush really, truly, and sincerely rocks. No hype and half the price of high end brands. Read the reviews. And then get it here.

Provided by: Alexia Hites and Hillary Hansen